who, like the bee, hath a middle faculty, gathering from abroad, but digesting that which is gathered by his own virtue." 22. The Lord St. Alban, who was not over hasty to raise theories, but proceeded slowly by experiments, was wont to say to some philosophers, who would not go his pace, "Gentlemen, nature is a labyrinth, in which the very haste you move with will make you lose your way." 23. The same lord, when he spoke of the Dutchmen, used to say, "That we could not abandon them for our safety, nor keep them for our profit." And sometimes he would express the same sense on this manner; "We hold the Belgic lion by the ears." 24. The same lord, when a gentleman seemed not much to approve of his liberality to his retinue, said to him, "Sir, I am all of a piece; if the head be lifted up, the inferior parts of the body must too." 25. The Lord Bacon was wont to commend the advice of the plain old man at Buxton, that sold becoms: a proud lazy young fellow came to him for a besom upon trust; to whom the old man said, "Friend, hast thou no money? borrow of thy back, and borrow of thy belly, they'll ne'er ask thee again, I shall be dunning thee every day." 26. Solon said well to Croesus, (when in ostentation he showed him his gold,) Sir, if any other come that has better iron than you, he will be master of all this gold." 27. Jack Weeks said of a great man, just then dead, who pretended to some religion, but was none of the best livers, "Well, I hope he is in heaven. Every man thinks as he wishes; but if he be in heaven, 'twere pity it were known." SPURIOUS APOPHTHEGMS. 1. His majesty James the First, King of Great Britain, having made unto his Parliament an excellent and large declaration, concluded thus, "I have now given you a clear mirror of my mind; use it therefore like a mirror; and take heed how you let it fall, or how you soil it with your breath." 2. His majesty said to his Parliament at another time, finding there were some causeless jealousies sown amongst them; "That the king and his people, (whereof the Parliament is the representative body,) were as husband and wife; and therefore, that of all other things, jealousy was between them most pernicious." 3. His majesty, when he thought his council might note in him some variety in businesses, though indeed he remained constant, would say, "That the sun many times shineth watery; but it is not the sun which causeth it, but some cloud rising betwixt us and the sun; and when that is scattered the sun is as it was, and comes to his former brightness." justice; one while they were a Star Chamber, another while a King's Bench, another a common place, another a Commission of Oyer and Terminer." His majesty answered, " Why, Sir Edward Cook, they be like houses in progress, where I have not nor can have such distinct rooms of state as I have here at Whitehall or at Hampton Court." 6. The commissioners of the treasure moved the king for the relief of his estate, to disafforest some forests of his, explaining themselves of such forests as lay out of the way, not near any of the king's houses, nor in the course of his progress, whereof he should never have use nor pleasure. "Why," saith the king, "do you think that Solomon had use and pleasure of all his three hundred concubines." 7. His majesty, when the Committees of both Houses of Parliament presented unto him the instrument of Union of England and Scotland, was merry with them; and amongst other pleasant speeches showed unto them the Laird of Lawriston, a Scotchman, who was the tallest and greatest man that was to be seen, and said, 4. His majesty, in his answer to the book of the Cardinal of Evereux, (who had in a grave argument of divinity sprinkled many witty orna-"Well, now we are all one, yet none of you will ments of poesy and humanity,) saith; "That these flowers were like blue and yellow, and red flowers in the corn, which make a pleasant show to those that look on, but they hurt the corn." 5. Sir Edward Cook, being vehement against the two provincial councils of Wales and the North, said to the king, "There was nothing there but a kind of confusion and hotch potch of say but here is one Scotchman greater than any Englishman;" which was an ambiguous speech; but it was thought he meant it of himself. 8. His majesty would say to the Lords of his Council, when they sat upon any great matter, and came from council in to him, "Well, you have set, but what have you hatcht!" * See this in his Essay of the True Greatness of Kingdoms 9. Queen Elizabeth was importuned much by | have put a trick upon the countryman, which was my Lord of Essex to supply divers great offices thus: the scholars appointed for supper two that had been long void; the queen answered nothing to the matter, but rose up on the sudden, and said, "I am sure my office will not be long void." And yet at that time there was much speech of troubles and divisions about the crown to be after her decease: but they all vanished, and King James came in in a profound peace. 10. King Henry the Fourth of France was so punctual of his word after it was once passed, | that they called him the King of the Faith. 11. The said King Henry the Fourth was moved by his Parliament to a war against the Protestants: he answered, "Yes, I mean it; I will make every one of you captains; you shall have companies assigned you." The Parliament observing whereunto his speech tended, gave over, and deserted his motion. 12. A great officer at court, when my Lord of Essex was first in trouble, and that he and those that dealt for him would talk much of my lord's friends and of his enemies, answered to one of them, "I will tell you, I know but one friend and one enemy my lord hath; and that one friend is the queen, and that one enemy is himself." 13. The Lord Keeper, Sir Nicholas Bacon, was asked his opinion by my Lord of Leicester, concerning two persons whom the queen seemed to think well of: "By my troth, my lord," said he, "the one is a grave counsellor, the other is a proper young man; and so he will be as long as he lives." pigeons and a fat capon, which being ready was brought up, and they having sat down, the one scholar took up one pigeon, the other scholar took the other pigeon, thinking thereby that the countryman should have sat still until that they were ready for the carving of the capon, which he perceiving, took the capon and laid it on his trencher, and thus said, "Daintily contrived, every one a bird.” 17. A man and his wife in bed together, she towards morning pretended herself to be ill at ease, desiring to lie on her husband's side; so the good man to please her came over her, making some short stay in his passage over, where she had not long lain, but desired to lie in her old place again. Quoth he, "How can it be effected ?" She answered, "Come over me again." "I had rather," said he, "go a mile and a half about." raigned. 18. A thief being arraigned at the bar for stealing a mare, in his pleading urged many things in his own behalf, and at last nothing availing, he told the bench the mare rather stole him than he the mare, which in brief he thus related: that passing over several grounds about his lawful occasions, he was pursued close by a fierce mastiff dog, and so was forced to save himself by leaping over a hedge, which being of an agile body he effected, and in leaping, a mare standing on the other side of the hedge, leaped upon her back, who running furiously away with him, he could not by any means stop her until he came 14. My Lord of Liecester, favourite to Queen to the next town, in which town the owner of the Elizabeth, was making a large chase about Corn-mare lived, and there was he taken and here ar bury Park, meaning to enclose it with posts and rails, and one day was casting up his charge what it would come to; Mr. Goldingham, a free-spoken man, stood by, and said to my lord; "Methinks your lordship goeth not the cheapest way to work." "Why, Goldingham?" said my lord. "Marry, my lord," said Goldingham, "count you but upon the posts, for the country will find you railing." 15. Sir Nicholas Bacon being appointed a judge: for the northern circuit, and having brought his trials that came before him to such a pass, as the passing of sentence on malefactors, he was by one of the malefactors mightily importuned for to save his life, which when nothing that he had said did avail, he at length desired his mercy on the account of kindred. “Pr'ythee," said my lord judge, "how came that in?" "Why, if it please you, my lord, your name is Bacon and mine is Hog, and in all ages hog and bacon have been so near kindred that they are not to be sepa-a rated." "Ay, but," replied Judge Bacon, "you and I cannot be kindred except you be hanged; for hog is not bacon until it be well hanged." 16. Two scholars and a countryman travelling upon the road, one night lodged all in one inn and supped together, where the scholars thought to 19. A notorious rogue being brought to the bar, and knowing his case to be desperate, instead of pleading, he took to himself the liberty of jesting, and thus said, "I charge you in the king's name to seize and take away that man (meaning the judge) in the red gown, for I go in danger of my life because of him." 20. A rough-hewn seaman being brought before a wise just-ass for some misdemeanour, was by him sent away to prison: and being somewhat refractory after he heard his doom, insomuch as he would not stir a foot from the place he stood, saying, "It were better to stand where he was than go to a worse place." The justice thereupon, to show the strength of his learning, took him by the shoulder, and said, "Thou shalt go Nogus vogus,"" instead of "Nolens volens." 21. A debauched seaman being brought before justice of the peace upon the account of swearing, was by the justice commanded to deposit his fine in that behalf provided, which was two shillings, he thereupon, plucking out of his pocket a half-crown, asked the justice what was the rate he was to pay for cursing; the justice told him sixpence; quoth he, then, "A pox take you all for a company of knaves and fools, and there's half- | sir," said the apprentice, "but if Joseph's misa-crown for you, I will never stand changing of tress had been as handsome as mine is, he could money." not have forborne." 25. When my Lord President of the Council was newly advanced to the Great Seal, Gondomar came to visit him; my lord said, "That he was to thank God and the king for that honour; but yet, so he might be rid of the burden, he could very willingly forbear the honour. And that he formerly had a desire, and the same continued with him still, to lead a private life." Gondomar answered that he would tell him a tale, "Of an old rat that would needs leave the world: and acquainted the young rats that he would retire into his hole, and spend his days solitarily; and would enjoy no more comfort: and commanded them, upon his high displeasure, not to offer to come in unto him. They forbore two or three 22. A witty rogue coming into a lace shop, said he had occasion for some lace, choice whereof being showed him, he at last pitched upon one pattern, and asked them how much they would have for so much as would reach from ear to ear, for so much he had occasion for; they told him for so much so some few words passing between them, he at last agreed, and told down his money for it, and began to measure on his own head, thus saying, "One ear is here, and the other is nailed to the pillory in Bristol, and I fear you have not so much of this lace by you at present as will perfect my bargain; therefore this piece of lace shall suffice at present in part of payment, and provide the rest with all expedition." 23. A woman being suspected by her husband | days; at last, one that was more hardy than the for dishonesty, and being by him at last pressed very hard about it, made him quick answer with many protestations, "That she knew no more of what he said than the man in the moon :" Now the captain of the ship called "The Moon" was the very man she so much loved. 24. An apprentice of London being brought before the chamberlain by his master, for the sin of incontinency, even with his own mistress; the chamberlain thereupon gave him many Christian exhortations, and at last he mentioned and pressed the chastity of Joseph when his mistress tempted him with the like crime of incontinency. "Ay, rest, incited some of his fellows to go in with him, and he would venture to see how his father did; for he might be dead. They went in, and found the old rat sitting in the midst of a rich Parmesan cheese." So he applied the fable after his witty manner. 26. Mr. Houland, in conference with a young student, arguing a case, happened to say, "I would ask you but this question." The student presently interrupted him to give him an answer. Whereunto Mr. Houland gravely said; “Nay, though I ask you a question, yet I did not mean you should answer me, I mean to answer myself." ORNAMENTA RATIONALIA,* A SUPPLY (BY THE PUBLISHER) OF CERTAIN WEIGHTY AND ELEGANT SENTENCES, SOME MADE, OTHERS COLLECTED BY THE LORD BACON; AND BY HIM PUT UNDER THE ABOVESAID TITLE; AND AT PRESENT NOT TO BE FOUND. A COLLECTION OF SENTENCES OUT OF THE MIMI OF PUBLIUS; ENGLISHED BY THE publisher. 1. "ALEATOR, quanto in arte est melior, tanto est nequior." A gamester, the greater master he is in his art, the worse man he is. 2. "Arcum, intensio frangit; animum, remissio." Much bending breaks the bow; much unbending, the mind. Tenison's Baconiana, page 60. 3. "Bis vincit, qui se vincit in victoria." 4. Cum vitia prosint, peccat, qui recte facit." He sleeps well, who feels not that he sleeps | 22. "In vindicando, criminosa est celeritas." ill. In taking revenge, the very haste we make is criminal. 6. "Deliberare utilia, mora est tutissima." To deliberate about useful things is the safest 23. "In calamitoso risus etiam injuria est.” delay. When men are in calamity, if we do but laugh we offend. 7. "Dolor decrescit, ubi quo crescat non habet." The flood of grief decreaseth, when it can swell no higher. 8. "Etiam innocentes cogit mentiri dolor." Pain makes even the innocent man a liar. 9. Etiam celeritas in desiderio, mora est." Even in desire, swiftness itself is delay. 10. Etiam capillus unus habet umbram suam." The smallest hair casts a shadow. 11. "Fidem qui perdit, quo se servat in reliquum ?" He that has lost his faith, what has he left to live on? 12. Formosa facies muta commendatio est." A beautiful face is a silent commendation. 13. "Fortuna nimium quem fovet, stultum facit." Fortune makes him a fool, whom she makes her darling. 14. "Fortuna obesse nulli contenta est semel." Fortune is not content to do a man but one ill turn. 15. "Facit gratum fortuna, quam nemo videt." The fortune which nobody sees, makes a man happy and unenvied. 16. "Heu! quam miserum est ab illo lædi, de quo non possis queri." O! what a miserable thing it is to be hurt by such a one of whom it is in vain to complain. 17. "Homo toties moritur quoties amittit suos." A man dies as often as he loses his friends. 18. "Hæredis fletus sub persona risus est.” The tears of an heir are laughter under a vizard. 19. "Jucundum nihil est, nisi quod reficit varietas." Nothing is pleasant, to which variety does not give a relish. 20. "Invidiam ferre, aut fortis, aut felix potest." He may bear envy, who is either courageous or happy. 21. "In malis sperare bonum, nisi innocens, nemo potest." None but a virtuous man can hope well in ill circumstances. A COLLECTION OF SENTENCES OUT OF SOME OF THE WRITINGS OF THE LORD BACON.* 1. Ir is a strange desire which men have, to seek power, and lose liberty. 17. In great place ask counsel of both times: of the ancient time, what is best; and of the latter 2. Children increase the cares of life; but they time, what is fittest. mitigate the remembrance of death. 3. Round dealing is the honour of man's nature; and a mixture of falsehood is like allay in gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. 18. As in nature things move more violently to their place, and calmly in their place: so virtue in ambition is violent; in authority, settled and calm. 19. Boldness in civil business is like pronun4. Death openeth the gate to good fame, and ex- ciation in the orator of Demosthenes: the first, tinguisheth envy. 5. Schism in the spiritual body of the church is a greater scandal than a corruption in manners: as, in the natural body, a wound or solution of continuity is worse than a corrupt humour. 6. Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the second, and third thing. 20. Boldness is blind: wherefore it is ill in counsel, but good in execution. For in counsel it is good to see dangers: in execution, not to see them, except they be very great. 21. Without good nature, man is but a better more a man's nature runs to, the more ought law | kind of vermin. to weed it out. 22. God never wrought miracle to convince 7. He that studieth revenge, keepeth his own atheism, because his ordinary works convince it. wounds green. 8. Revengeful persons live and die like witches: their life is mischievous, and their end is unfortu nate. 23. The great atheists indeed are hypocrites, who are always handling holy things, but without feeling; so as they must needs be cauterized in the end. 24. The master of superstition is the people. And in all superstition, wise men follow fools. 9. It was a high speech of Seneca, after the| manner of the Stoics, that the good things which belong to prosperity are to be wished; but the good 25. In removing superstitions, care would be things which belong to adversity are to be admired. had, that, as it fareth in ill purgings, the good be 10. He that cannot see well, let him go softly. not taken away with the bad: which commonly is 11. If a man be thought secret, it inviteth dis-done when the people is the physician. covery as the more close air sucketh in the more open. 12. Keep your authority wholly from your chil- and not to travel. dren, not so your purse. 13. Men of noble birth are noted to be envious towards new men when they rise: for the distance is altered; and it is like a deceit of the eye, that when others come on, they think themselves go back. 14. That envy is most malignant which is like Cain's, who envied his brother, because his sacrifice was better accepted, when there was nobody but God to look on. 15. The lovers of great place are impatient of privateness, even in age, which requires the shadow like old townsmen, that will be still sitting at their street door, though there they offer age to scorn. 26. He that goeth into a country before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, 27. It is a miserable state of mind, and yet it is commonly the case of kings, to have few things to desire, and many things to fear. 28. Depression of the nobility may make a king more absolute but less safe. 29. All precepts concerning kings are, in effect, comprehended in these remembrances: remember thou art a man; remember thou art God's vicegerent: the one bridleth their power, and the other their will. 30. Things will have their first or second agitation: if they be not tossed upon the arguments of counsel, they will be tossed upon the waves of fortune. 31. The true composition of a counsellor is, 16. In evil, the best condition is, not to will: rather to be skilled in his master's business than the next not to can. *Baconiana, page 65, VOL. I.-17 his nature; for then he is like to advise him, and not to feed his humour. 129 |